Carving grapevine on a limestone cross

[Gargoyle]

Walter, do you know the name of the rock formation that is being quarried? it must be incredibly pure and free of things like shale partings and chert lenses.

Todd

It's part of the Salem limestone formation, which extends through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. There is a stretch of the formation around Bedford and Bloomington Indiana with is very pure, very deep but starts close to the surface (so it's accessible and consistent for a great depth), and wide.

 

[thughes]

Very interesting Walter, thanks. Sorry to bother you and and the rest of the forum with such a geeky question, but my day job is geologist so I was curious. I will research it a little now that I know the formation and the location.

Todd

 

[Gargoyle]

I've started twisting the ends of the grapevines into the central crown of thorns. When that is done I'll carve the grape leaves.

 

[Gargoyle]

 

[Gargoyle]

I've uploaded a very short video explaining the main steps in the grape leaves to FB and Instagram.
My main point is, do the major forms first and the details will fall into place. Too many people get hung up on details first; masses, light and shadow, movement, form are the important things. I think these links should work.

FB:

2.9K views · 97 reactions | Carving grape leaves | The steps I take in carving grape leaves in Indiana limestone. | By Walter S. Arnold Sculptor | Facebook

The steps I take in carving grape leaves in Indiana limestone.

fb.watch

IG:

Walter S. Arnold Sculptor on Instagram: "Follow the steps I take in carving grape leaves in Indiana limestone. Start with the overall forms, the movement, the major masses of light and shadow, and the details will fall into place. . This is for a 12

266 likes, 16 comments - ig_sculptor on January 31, 2021: "Follow the steps I take in carving grape leaves in Indiana limestone. Start with the overall forms, the movement, the major masses of light and shadow, and the details will fall into place. . This is for a 12' (3.65 m) tall cross that...

www.instagram.com

 

[allan621]

I've been following your posts about the carving and I have a few questions. One is how you get the background so flat that there are no visible carving marks. The other is the grape leaves. The bottom lies below twisted stems but than it sits above a grapevine stalk. Is the leaf carved so its resting on angle or is it carved flat and the illusion of being on an angle the result of some truly great carving.

The form is incredibly harmonious. Each element of a section is, even though precisely repeated, incredible on its own, but when combined with the next sections is kind of dazzling.

Allan

 

[Gargoyle]

I've been following your posts about the carving and I have a few questions. One is how you get the background so flat that there are no visible carving marks. The other is the grape leaves. The bottom lies below twisted stems but than it sits above a grapevine stalk. Is the leaf carved so its resting on angle or is it carved flat and the illusion of being on an angle the result of some truly great carving.

The form is incredibly harmonious. Each element of a section is, even though precisely repeated, incredible on its own, but when combined with the next sections is kind of dazzling.

Allan

1. The background isn't smooth, I deliberately texture it with the chisels. If it were smooth, it would reflect more light and not seem as deep; the texture makes it darker. Actual depth of relief is just under 3/8". (<1cm).

2. I use a rare, extreme high precision specialty depth gauge to ensure consistent depth. See attached photos.

3. The carving is relatively flat, these photos should also help show that.

 

[Gargoyle]

Finally getting this off the workbench today... it's dragged on too long. I just have to set it on the floor (it's 7' wide, about 1400 lbs) and align it with the top and bottom sections, so I can carve the final inch of interlace where the stones meet. I left that for last so that I can be sure all the stems and veins grow together properly. After that, I just have to cut the stainless rods to length, and it will be ready for installation. Gotta make room in the shop, I have a 1600 lb block of stone for another project coming in today...

 

[Gargoyle]

OK, next comes the last inch of carving at the joints between the stones.

There is also a pedestal block, not in this photo.

 

[mitch]

Would you mind posting a brief tutorial on designing & machining a custom depth gauge? It looks pretty complicated, and I'm guessing you probably have to set the probe protrusion with an app on your smartphone? I'm thinking of making one for myself, but wanted to be sure I've got all the details just right. At the very least, could you specify the correct wood species and size of finish nail? And does it really have to be a finish head?

 

[Gargoyle]

Would you mind posting a brief tutorial on designing & machining a custom depth gauge? It looks pretty complicated, and I'm guessing you probably have to set the probe protrusion with an app on your smartphone? I'm thinking of making one for myself, but wanted to be sure I've got all the details just right. At the very least, could you specify the correct wood species and size of finish nail? And does it really have to be a finish head?

Finish heads are good. Look for the Perkele brand. Danish heads tend to bend, I think it's the aquavit that twists them. Norwegian heads don't hold the depth, they slide too much due to the lutefish oil. Italian heads are most traditional, but very hard to find.

 

[Gargoyle]

The final step in carving this limestone cross was to connect the veins and stems at the joints between the sections. It's now ready for installation, weather permitting. (It's currently 3°F here, that's -16°C, so not today!).
I have to carve in towards the body of the stone from the edge, or it will break off too much at once. Sort of whittling away at it.

 

[Gargoyle]

Installed in mid March...

 

[Gargoyle]

It took some careful rigging. it reached 12' tall, but the top piece had to lift another 6" above that to get over the stainless pin, and we had a 14' gantry... once you subtract the height of the chainfall, hook, and slings, it took some fancy footwork to get it together. Also, it's in a courtyard with access by taking an elevator or stairs down from the level of the parking lot, and then through a 32" wide door, so getting the sections of the gantry and the main 1300 lb central piece of the cross in there was a nice dance.

 

[Gargoyle]

First Presbyterian Church, Deerfield, Illinois

 

[thughes]

Tahnks walter, awesome. really enjoyed watching the process.

Todd

 

[SamW]

I'm loving it! And Mitch, that depth gauge might be too complicated for an engraver!

 

[Ed Davet]

Outstanding Walter !
Do you seal the limestone when you are finished?
It looks awful porous
Ed

 

[Bob Savage]

Whoah - that is amazing work. It's so beautiful but also saddens me because those who are capable of this quality of art seem to be on the way to extinction. I could tangent here, but won't.

Beautiful.

 

[Gargoyle]

Whoah - that is amazing work. It's so beautiful but also saddens me because those who are capable of this quality of art seem to be on the way to extinction. I could tangent here, but won't.

Beautiful.

Am I an endangered species? Can I get special government protection?